Key Facts: Panama vs Republic of the Congo Wages
- Panama Minimum Wage
- B/.1.69/hr ($1.69 USD)
- Republic of the Congo Minimum Wage
- FCFA90,000/mo ($161.58 USD)
- Panama Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- B/.1,100 /mo ($1,100 USD)
- Republic of the Congo Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- FCFA280,000 /mo ($502.69 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo Laboral (MITRADEL) (2026-02-24), ILO / Ministère du Travail et de la Sécurité Sociale (Congo-Brazzaville) (2026-02-25)
Panama 
Republic of the Congo
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Panama is roughly 96 times lower than in the Republic of the Congo in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a upper-middle-income and a lower-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,100/mo in Panama versus $503/mo in the Republic of the Congo, a 2.2:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Panama is 5.9x that of Republic of the Congo, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Panama has higher GDP per capita ($41,369 vs $7,026). Panama's unemployment rate is 8.4% compared to the Republic of the Congo's 19.9%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Panama | Republic of the Congo |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | B/.1.69 $1.69 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | B/.326 $326 | FCFA90,000 $161.58 |
| Minimum wage /yr | B/.4,238 $4,238 | — |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | B/.1,100 /mo $1,100 | FCFA280,000 /mo $502.69 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | B/.990 /mo $990 | N/A/mo |
| Median individual income /yr | B/.7,800 /yr $7,800 | FCFA480,000 /yr $861.76 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Panama is higher.
Work Week
- Panama
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets maximum ordinary workday at 8 hours (daytime), 7 hours (mixed shift), and 6 hours (nighttime). Weekly maximum 48 hours for day work. Overtime: 25% surcharge for first 3 hours, 50% thereafter on regular days; 50% on holidays; and 75% on rest days (Sundays). Night work (6pm-6am) earns a 50% surcharge.
- Republic of the Congo
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard at 40 hours/week in the formal sector. Maximum 48 hours with overtime. Overtime paid at 1.5x for the first 8 hours, 2x thereafter. Sunday is the statutory rest day.
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Panama earns 9461% less per hour in USD terms than one in the Republic of the Congo. Standard work weeks differ: Panama mandates 48 hours while the Republic of the Congo mandates 40 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Panama are $81 vs $6,463 in the Republic of the Congo.
See this comparison from Republic of the Congo's perspective: Republic of the Congo vs Panama
Compare Panama with...
Panama vs United States $ 7.25 /hr 
Panama vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Panama vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Panama vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Panama vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Panama vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Panama vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Panama vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Panama vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Panama vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Panama vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Panama vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Panama vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Panama vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
Panama vs Netherlands € 14.71 /hr 
Panama vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Panama vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Panama vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Panama vs Switzerland 
Panama vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
Panama vs Thailand ฿ 10,400 /mo 
Panama vs Sweden 
Panama vs Argentina ARS 1,762 /hr 
Panama vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Panama or Republic of the Congo?
In Panama, the minimum wage is B/.1.69/hr ($1.69 USD). In the Republic of the Congo, it is FCFA90,000/mo ($161.58 USD). Republic of the Congo has the higher rate by 9461% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Panama may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Panama compared to Republic of the Congo?
The average gross salary in Panama is B/.1,100/mo ($1,100 USD), compared to FCFA280,000/mo ($502.69 USD) in the Republic of the Congo. In USD terms, workers in Panama earn approximately 119% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Panama and Republic of the Congo is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Panama earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in the Republic of the Congo.
How do work hours compare between Panama and Republic of the Congo?
Panama has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 40 hours in the Republic of the Congo. Workers in Panama work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in the Republic of the Congo working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.
What is the cost of living difference between Panama and Republic of the Congo?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Panama has the higher GDP per capita at $41,369, which is 5.9x that of Republic of the Congo at $7,026. From Panama's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.